I hesitated.
‘No lynch mobs at the door yet, Euphemia?’ broke in Bertram, who was clearly still smarting from the lack of dinner rolls he had consumed.
‘I think we need to speak to my maid, Enid,’ I said. ‘And perhaps her grandmother.’
‘What on earth are you gabbling about?’ said Richenda rudely.
‘I think Euphemia has been doing some stirring-up of her own,’ said Hans with a smile.
‘Oh, do you know who did it?’ asked Richenda eagerly.
I shook my head. ‘What I know doesn’t make sense, but I will be happy to share it with you. From what I’ve understood there were two bodies found, but only one was recent?’
Hans nodded. ‘Once we had you safe I went back out to see what I could do to help.’
‘It was Hans’ idea to dig the ditch,’ said Richenda proudly.
‘It is a common way to contain fires. I am surprised it is not known up here,’ Hans said.
‘Too damn wet in this country,’ said Bertram, earning himself a scowl from Rory.
‘From what you have described there were a great many people panicking. It appears the previous fire was within recent memory?’ I asked.
‘About five years ago, from what the servants say,’ said Rory.
I considered. ‘I could still be right.’
‘About what?’ asked Bertram irritably.
‘Two things. I was thinking that with so recent and devastating a fire awakening old memories – or not so old ones – the locals and staff may have been liable to panic until they received clear direction.’ I nodded at Hans. ‘The other guests do not strike me as having much of a practical turn of mind.’
Hans smiled slightly. ‘I am probably the only one who takes a close interest in his country estate. The others no doubt see me as more of a farmer than a financier!’
‘If anyone dares –’ bristled Richenda, but Hans laid a restraining hand on her arm.
‘Let Euphemia continue. She seems unusually unsure of herself.’
‘I have to admit, after getting so much wrong in my last escapade, I am wary of jumping to the wrong conclusions.’
‘There’s a first time for everything,’ said Rory quietly, but not too quietly that I did not hear him.
‘The older body was not caught in the previous fire, was it?’ I asked. ‘It was much older?’
‘Good grief, Euphemia,’ said Hans. ‘I did know that, but the Chief Inspector swore me to secrecy. I was the one who found it.’
‘That must be her,’ I said to myself.
‘Explain,’ said Rory coldly.
‘My maid, Enid, told me a story about the Wailing Nanny. Apparently the staff thought she was walking abroad again.’
‘A castle ghost,’ breathed Richenda.
I shook my head. ‘There has to be a rational explanation, but I confess I cannot see it yet.’
‘A warning about the fire!’ said Richenda.
‘Oh shut up, Richie,’ said Bertram. ‘I’ve been around enough dead bodies now to know there are no ghosts.’
‘I mean that she told me the story because something odd was happening, but I can’t see how the noises are connected. The story,’ I continued quickly before anyone else broke in, ‘is that last Laird…’
‘That obnoxious little man at the wedding?’
‘Yes, the one escorting his father, the previous Laird –’ I looked at Rory, confused.
‘The old man is the Laird, technically,’ said Rory, ‘but his son acts as if he is in charge.’
‘In that case the Laird’s son ran away from home when he was very young – a toddler.’
‘And the nanny went mad with grief?’ said Rory scornfully.
‘Not exactly. I mean, obviously he came back. Enid said he had climbed into the caravan of a tinker.’
‘A what?’ asked Bertram.
‘A gypsy,’ said Rory.
‘But he was too little to tell them who he was and too scruffy for them to realise he was the Laird’s son.’
‘Or that’s what they said,’ said Rory darkly. ‘I can see how he could have sneaked off with them without their knowing, but tinkers aren’t necessarily treated kindly here.’
‘You mean they could have been accused of kidnapping him?’ asked Hans.
Rory nodded. ‘I can imagine they had quite a big discussion about what to do with him before they eventually brought him back.’
‘But they would not have hurt a child!’ cried Richenda, eyes brimming.
‘I doubt it, my dear,’ said Hans quickly, ‘but they might have decided to raise him as their own.’ He gave Bertram, who was about to protest, a stern look.
‘Absolutely,’ said Bertram obediently, with a wary eye on the tearful Richenda.
‘But when he came back the Wailing Nanny was gone. The Laird put it about he had turned her out, but the staff seemed to believe she had thrown herself from the walls in grief – hence the wailing.’
‘Aye, I heard that story,’ said Rory. ‘All these big old houses have their legends. Stories to frighten wayward maids away from straying at night. Obviously nonsense, as they never found a body.’
‘Until now,’ I said. ‘I think she is the body buried in the wall.’
‘But who killed her?’ asked Bertram.
‘I can only guess,’ I said. ‘It might have been the Laird, or even his wife, overcome with anger and loss of their son. They would have assumed the boy was dead and it was her fault. And,’ I hesitated here and looked at Richenda, ‘the Laird’s wife was so upset she lost the child she was carrying.’
‘So one of them killed her?’ asked Rory sceptically.
‘It might not have been meant,’ I said.
Hans interrupted. ‘It makes sense that it was the body of the missing nanny, or it may once the police have an idea of the age of the bones. It even makes sense that someone might have set the fire in the hope of stopping Stapleford’s refurbishment of the building. They might have thought that he would give up on it.’
‘Or even move away,’ said Bertram thoughtfully. ‘We have not known Lucinda for long, but she seems the kind of girl that could be convinced a place was ill-omened or some such rot.’
‘But the body was discovered because of the fire,’ said Richenda.
‘I know,’ I said, ‘but I do not think that was the idea. I think Hans is right, and that the fire was meant to put Richard off rebuilding it or, indeed, from living here.’
‘So you think whoever murdered the Nanny started the fire?’ asked Rory. ‘Would they not be very old by now?’
‘Maybe the fire was set not by the murderer, but by his descendent?’ asked Richenda.
A sudden silence fell as we all looked at her. ‘What?’ she said. ‘I do sometimes get it right!’
Chapter Twenty-seven
Rory is bait
‘It can never be simple, can it?’ said Rory.
‘I don’t suppose the man they found – the one who owned the tie-pin – could have been the one who set the fire?’ said Bertram hopefully.
‘That would be nice and neat,’ said Hans.
‘And completely unlike real life,’ said Rory.
‘Ellie did have a remarkable reaction to the tie-pin,’ said Richenda. Then she gave a smug little grin, and flicked back a lock of hair that had become loose. ‘I am on good form today!’
‘That could be no more than the usual sensibilities of a young woman confronted with the remains of any ugly death and possible murder,’ said Hans.
‘What do you mean by that?’ asked Richenda, her tone suddenly sharp.
‘Most of the weaker sex are somewhat shocked by sudden death,’ said Bertram uneasily.
‘Or simply lacking the experience of the ladies present,’ said Rory.
‘I agree,’ I said calmly before Richenda could respond, ‘we are somewhat used to the unusual, but I still find her reaction worthy of study.’
‘I suppose there must be something we can do?’ opined B
ertram.
‘If there is any way the nursery maid looking after my daughter might be involved,’ said Richenda hotly, ‘I want to know.’
‘It is an avenue worth following,’ said Hans. ‘But what can we do?’
‘That’s easy,’ said Richenda. ‘Rory can have a little chat with her.’
‘Rory?’ I asked.
‘You must have noticed,’ said Richenda. ‘All the female servants want to spend time with Bertram’s tall, handsome butler. I imagine he is quite a favourite below stairs.’ She then pulled a face that was as close as I have ever seen Richenda come to simpering. The reaction of the men in the room was quite startling. Hans looked annoyed, while Bertram and Rory appeared revolted.
‘We all have to do our duty for justice to be served,’ said Richenda piously.
‘I could ask Enid if we could visit her grandmother?’ I suggested. ‘She would have been working at the castle when the nanny went missing, and might have some insights to offer.’
‘I’ll tackle that,’ piped up Richenda. ‘If you’re going to be interviewing an older woman, a married woman like myself should go.’
‘Really, there is no need to trouble yourself,’ I protested.
‘Actually, it might be better if Richenda spoke to her,’ said Hans. ‘Although with Richenda’s state borne in mind the woman would need to come to the castle.’
‘Much nicer than visiting some smelly peasant’s cottage,’ said Richenda, placidly.
‘There is no need for Richenda to be troubled at all,’ I said crossly.
‘There is no need to feel left out, Euphemia,’ said Bertram. ‘It’s just that the old woman might be more comfortable talking about certain things with a more worldly lady.’
‘He means if there were any shenanigans happening in the castle at the time,’ said Hans obscurely.
It took me a moment to catch on. ‘You mean she might know if the nanny was involved with a male member of staff, or even one of the family?’ I said.
‘Exactly,’ said Rory, ‘and your maidenly ears would not be thought fit to hear such things.’
At this point, I could have brought up my education in a London brothel,23 but, as Bertram had also been involved, it seemed a bit unfair. The same thought appeared to have crossed his mind, because he appeared to be trying to shake his head subtly and mouth the words ‘Please, no’ at me. His eyes were rolling like those of a frightened horse.
‘What is the matter with you, Bertie?’ asked Richenda. ‘Are you having a fit?’
‘Itch in my ear,’ said Bertram, pulling frantically on his left one.
‘Besides, I will need your help, Euphemia,’ said Rory.
‘What?’ I asked, horrified.
‘I’ll need you to be listening in for me. I don’t want to be sued for breach of promise. Susie Ellis had the smell of desperation about her before; if she is in any way involved in what has happened, it will have only made it worse.’
‘That is a most ungentlemanly thing to say,’ objected Hans.
Rory gave him a level look. ‘It’s your wife that wants me to do this and it’s you that hired this girl on a whim.’
Hans looked very much taken aback. He was not, after all, used to the free manner Rory tended to speak in when we were investigating some incident. Nor, of course, was he privy to all the escapades we had entered upon together. Bertram shrugged apologetically.
‘Right, Euphemia,’ said Rory. ‘We had better get on with it.’
‘What am I to do?’ asked Bertram.
‘The best thing you and Hans can do is to partake of some after dinner sustenance with the guests and see if you can ferret out any further information about last night,’ said Rory.
‘Particularly where people were,’ I added.
‘And you will need to be discreet,’ said Richenda without any sense of irony. ‘I will arrange with Enid for her grandmother to call upon me tomorrow morning.’
Rory had already risen to leave. I rose too. ‘It is possible,’ I said, ‘that Stone may ring while I am engaged with some information. If he does, Hans, please understand that he was following my orders and that I bear any blame you may feel needs casting.’
‘Euphemia,’ began Hans, but I was already out the door, with Rory on my heels.
‘What did you do?’ Rory asked me. I explained. He nodded. ‘Should have been done in the first place,’ was his only comment.
‘So how do we go about this?’ I asked.
‘It’s not that late,’ said Rory, ‘so I should be able to convince Susie Ellis to come for a walk with me. She’s been hinting about wanting to see the local scenery for some time.’
‘I remember Merry being rather partial to views,’ I said. ‘By which she meant walking out with a footman.’
‘It appears to be a common euphemism,’ said Rory blandly.
‘Am I supposed to lurk behind a tree?’ I asked, with a marked lack of enthusiasm. ‘It sounds as if there is a sharp wind blowing tonight. It may be difficult to hear your conversation. Though I suppose I am only there for form’s sake.’
‘Would you be willing to swear that I had said what I told you I had said?’
‘I would be willing to swear to your character, but not to words I have not heard. That would not be right,’ I said.
Rory growled with annoyance. ‘Right, we will have to do something inside. I only hope she does not try to get me into a bedroom.’
I laughed. ‘A big man like you, afraid of a tiny nursery maid?’ I said, for it was true that Ellie was of no great height.
‘Yer have nae idea what power yous women wield, do yer?’
‘You must be frightened,’ I said. ‘You are going all Scotch.’
Rory made another growling noise and stormed off, so that I had to half walk, half run to keep up with him. When we reached the green baize door, nearest to the library, Rory told me to wait in one of the alcoves. ‘It’s about the only room I can guarantee that Stapleford won’t enter.’
‘Even after dinner?’
Rory snorted. ‘He has a smoking room and a billiard room for that. I suspect the books make him nervous. Yon Ellie, on the other hand, seems to like the room. I’ve found her in here on more than one occasion.’
‘If you’re going to sweet-talk her I think you should call her Susie.’
Rory snorted and disappeared into the servants’ quarters. I found myself a seat and curled up with a book of poetry to wait for developments. To my surprise, he returned only minutes later. ‘I’ve left her a note asking her to meet me here.’ He drew back a set of drapes from one window. Moonlight flooded the room. ‘She will find it romantic,’ he said, his mouth curling in a sneer. I went back to my poetry, leaving Rory to pace the room. Despite the fact we had once been close, I found it difficult to read his mood and retiring gracefully into the background seemed the best way forward. I tucked my feet underneath me in a way that would have made my mother faint at my lack of deportment. If Rory stayed at his end of the library, I was fairly certain I could not be seen. Time passed. Rory’s pacing increased in speed. I was tempted to tease him, that perhaps his charms were not as great as Richenda thought, but as I was about to open my mouth our eyes met and I decided not to say anything. For whatever reason, Rory was decidedly angry.
‘Perhaps we should …’ I began, when Rory held up his hand, his head on one side. His hearing must be more acute than mine24 for a moment later, the library door opened and I heard the sound of light, quick steps. I found I could peek around the edge of the window recess.
Ellie crossed quickly to Rory. ‘I came as soon as I could, Mr McLeod. I had to ensure the child was tucked up safely and I had a maid in attendance of her.’
‘I am glad to see you take your charge so seriously,’ said Rory. All traces of anger had vanished and, instead, a slight smile curled his lips. He held out his hands to Ellie. She took two faltering steps towards him. A shy smile echoed his. Very lightly she touched her hands to his. Rory took them in his.
I must have eaten something underdone that evening as I found myself being assailed by indigestion. I could not otherwise account for the sudden and sharp pain that struck in my chest.
‘Why, Mr McLeod,’ said Ellie in a rather sickly voice. ‘Is this a declaration?’
Bile rose in my mouth.
‘I am concerned about you,’ said Rory, looking down at her. ‘This is a difficult time and your reaction earlier today was extreme.’
‘Yes, it has been terrible. I am sure we are all upset,’ said Ellie, in a colder voice. She moved as if to pull away, but Rory held her hands firm.
‘I care about you, Susie,’ he said in a gentle voice. ‘It upset me greatly to see you so distressed.’
Ellie shook her head and tried again to pull away. ‘I don’t want to think about it,’ she said, sounding as if she was on the edge of tears.
‘Oh, Susie, there is something wrong, isn’t there? You can tell me. I will look out for you.’
Ellie raised her face to his. ‘If only I could trust you,’ she breathed.
‘But you can,’ said Rory. ‘We have known each other such a short time, but sometimes when you meet someone you know, don’t you?’ He raised one of her hands to his face and brushed her fingers to his lips.
I was, by now, feeling distinctly uncomfortable. I doubted I could say under oath that Rory was not encouraging her, should this come to a breach of promise suit. In fact this was totally not the way I had expected him to take this scene. Rory might be many things, but I had never seen him actively deceive someone like this. I began to feel rather sorry for the nursery maid.
‘You have a difficult life, Susie,’ said Rory. ‘Your brother … he seemed, forgive me, ill-mannered. I fear he exercises too much control in your life.’
Susie gave a little sob. ‘You cannot understand.’
‘Oh, I think I can. You are not that different from Mrs Muller. Until her marriage, she was very much under the sway of her twin who, as I expect you’ve discovered, is not a very nice man. But now she has escaped to marriage she has blossomed. It is hard to be a spinster dependent on your employers’ whims, and, for a woman like you, who loves children, not having your own establishment and the chance to raise your own must be hard.’
A Death by Arson Page 14